NATRAJ PUBLISHERS New Delhi • Dehradun
Contents Introduction
ix
1
Laying Plans
1
2
Waging War
9
3
Attack by Stratagem
15
4
Tactical Dispositions
23
5
Energy
29
6
Weak Points and Strong
35
7
Maneuvering
45
8
Variation of Tactics
55
9
The Army on the March
61
10 Terrain
73
11 The Nine Situations
83
12 The Attack by Fire
101
13 The Use of Spies
107
Introduction
The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
The Art of War has been acknowledged as the oldest existing military treatise in the world. It is probably the most influential. This enduring classic which couches one of the most penetrating, universally applicable and durable philosophies on the art of war within its text is said to have been written
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THE ART OF WAR
by a Chinese warrior and philosopher Sun Tzu (sometimes also referred to as Sunzi and Sun Wu) some 2500 years ago. A grand master of military strategy, Sun Tzu captured the essence of his philosophy in a book called Sun Tzu on the Art of War by the Western world. The durability of this text rivals Shakespeare in its universal application and military strategists around the world use Sun Tzu’s philosophy to win wars even today, so much so that Sun Tzu on the Art of War has become a staple text for military education in modern times. The book is however, not confined to militarists around the world, its influence has percolated down to several other spheres because at its core, the treatise deals with strategies that are effective tools for conflict resolution and management. The book has started exercising influence in fields as varied and diver se as Economics, Business Management, Political Science law and
INTRODUCTION
xi
athletics; in fact by all those who wish to gain victory over their opponents. Considered one of the greatest cultural legacies of China, the book has been pronounced as the last word on military operations. In this text, Sun Tzu discusses several important principles of military strategy. For instance he states: “Winning a victory and subduing the enemy without fighting is the highest excellence.’’ He also expounds that “War is not for slaughter; if you win without fighting, the way you can do so is the greatest military strategy.” He also stresses on the need “to attack where the enemy is unprepared and hit when it is unexpected’’ and goes on to teach that: “Military operations should aim at speedy victory and not prolonged campaigns.’’ He also stresses on the necessity to “know both the enemy and yourself. You will fight a hundred battles without danger of defeat.’’
1
Laying Plans
Sun Tzu said: The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account
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THE ART OF WAR
in one’s deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field. These are: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
The Moral Law Heaven Earth The Commander Method and discipline.
The moral law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons. Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and
LAYING PLANS
3
narrow passes; the chances of life and death. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness. By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military
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THE ART OF WAR
conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise: — (1) (2)
Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law? Which of the two generals has most ability?
(3)
With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth?
(4)
On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?
(5)
Which army is stronger?
(6)
On which side are officers and men more highly trained?
(7)
In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?